Page 225 of One Big Little Secret

Oh, and no Kayla either.

That friendship is charred to a crisp.

I didn’t bother sending her an invite. Not that she’d have shown up if I had, although it might have been worth it just to get a bitchy text message back about how atrocious I am for insulting her and stealing ‘her man.’

But dwelling on poisonous old frenemies has me thinking about Evelyn again. Her trial date isn’t firm yet, but there’s no doubt she’ll be looking at several lifetime sentences.

The story became a national sensation, especially after a deeper investigation revealed she murdered her husband on top of her treachery with us.

Poison, made from his own plants, to induce a heart attack. Then she drained his leftover investments in every high-limit room Las Vegas has, gambling herself to doom.

Big surprise, right?

Arlo wasn’t her first rodeo using nature’s bounty to hurt people.

Although I hate her now with a passion that scares me, the emotion isn’t totally uncomplicated.

She’s a bitter old woman with an addiction who’s set to be locked up for the rest of her life, after the jury finds her guilty. That’s a little hard to celebrate, even if I’ll still be viciously glad, knowing she can never hurt anyone again.

For Delly, it’s different.

When her husband died and her boys grew up, Evelyn took her place as her confidante, her best friend and companion. The news that not only did she steal from her, try to kill her grandson, and fled with her sons’ money… It’s a freaking lot to process.

I don’t blame her for finding it hard to deal with, even today, when we should be so happy it’s just a bitter afterthought.

“The honeymoon is only two weeks,” I remind her gently. “It was hard enough prying Patton away from work for that long, but are you sure you can handle Arlo?”

“Oh, yes. I’m amazed you managed that. Patton must learn to take a week off sometimes. I just hope you’re ready for a spoiled little bird when you get back.” Delly smiles, brushing away a tear.

“It was an effort. But we’ll be back before you know it and you can call if you need anything.” I’m also happy she won’t be alone.

She pats me on the shoulder again, smiling fondly as she checks the time on her phone.

“Come, dear. We can’t be late for your vows.”

Standing, I pull her into a hug impulsively.

“Thank you for being family,Mom,” I whisper.

“Oh, hush. It’s my honor. If you really want to show your appreciation, I’ll let you do it with more grandbabies—when you’re ready, of course.” The impatient note in her voice makes me giggle.

And we laugh together as she pats my hair, styled in long curls, with a clumsy hand.

I don’t thinkanyone who ever lived felt more privileged than I do, standing across from Patton, trying not to go numb.

He’s in his full princely glory today.

This man is illegally, devilishly handsome in a navy suit that matches his eyes so well it should be impossible.

And when he grins at me, his thumb moving over the back of my hand, I almost detonate.

If I didn’t know any better, I might think his eyes are a little shinier than usual.

The riverboat sways gently under us.

What better place for us to say our vows? Here on the water, under the gentle early summer sun, our love comes full circle.

And I hope this evening ends with the same explosive finish as our very first night.

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